Two Serie A teams, each facing distinct challenges during the 2023-24 season, converge at the Mapei Stadium on Wednesday evening as Sassuolo welcomes the reigning champions Napoli.
Sassuolo, striving to enhance their chances of remaining in the top flight, confront Napoli, who are determined to reverse their fortunes in pursuit of European football qualification for the upcoming season.
Match preview
Despite Gian Marco Ferrari’s late equalizer, which seemed to secure a valuable point, Sassuolo couldn’t maintain their position as Empoli clinched victory with a 94th-minute header from Simone Bastoni.
Following this disappointing outcome, manager Alessio Dionisi was dismissed by Sassuolo on Sunday, ending his two-and-a-half-year tenure. The 43-year-old’s departure leaves the club positioned 17th in the Serie A standings, with goal difference being the only factor keeping them above the relegation zone, alongside Hellas Verona and Cagliari, who are both level on points in 18th and 19th place, respectively.
Sassuolo’s youth team coach, Emiliano Bigica, has been appointed as the interim manager of the senior squad. He aims to swiftly impact the team’s performance on the training ground as they prepare for upcoming fixtures against Napoli, who are currently out of form, as well as relegation-threatened Verona and Frosinone.
However, achieving success in the upcoming match against Napoli on Wednesday might prove challenging. Sassuolo has only won two out of their previous 21 Serie A encounters with Napoli, failing to score in their last three meetings. Additionally, their home form has been subpar, with only one win in their last nine league games at the Mapei Stadium.
Following their initial triumph over Verona with a 2-1 victory, Napoli has encountered a string of unproductive matches, failing to secure a win in their subsequent four fixtures across various competitions. Notably, they have drawn their last three encounters, each ending in a 1-1 stalemate against Genoa, Barcelona, and Cagliari.
While Napoli managed to salvage a draw against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, they experienced a setback in Serie A, dropping points in a disappointing manner against Cagliari in their most recent league fixture.
Francesco Calzona assumed managerial duties for his debut Italian top-flight match following the departure of Walter Mazzarri earlier in the week. Despite his leadership, Napoli, under the guidance of the former Slovakia national team coach, failed to clinch victory as Victor Osimhen’s 65th-minute goal was nullified by a 96th-minute equalizer from Zito Luvumbo.
The current Serie A campaign has proven challenging for Napoli in their quest to defend their Scudetto title, with the team currently occupying the ninth position in the table, trailing leaders Inter Milan by a significant 29-point margin. Furthermore, their aspirations of securing Champions League qualification for the next season are precarious, as they find themselves 11 points adrift of the top four with 13 matches remaining.
However, Napoli anticipates a favorable outcome in their forthcoming encounter against Sassuolo on Wednesday, given their track record of success in previous meetings. Notably, they have emerged victorious in their last four encounters with Sassuolo, outscoring them by a cumulative margin of 14-1, including a 2-0 triumph in their home fixture earlier this season.
Team news
Sassuolo faces ongoing challenges in the absence of pivotal forward Domenico Berardi, who remains sidelined due to a knee injury. Additionally, the fitness of Martin Erlic, nursing a muscle concern, and Mattia Viti, dealing with an unspecified issue, will be evaluated prior to the commencement of the match.
Jeremy Toljan, having recuperated from a hamstring ailment, made a return to the substitutes’ bench in the previous fixture. His candidacy for inclusion in the starting lineup as a right-back on Wednesday could displace Marcus Holmgren Pedersen.
The competition for a starting role on the right flank persists between Samu Castillejo and Cristian Volpato. Meanwhile, leading goal-scorer Andrea Pinamonti, with nine league goals this season, is poised to spearhead the offensive line.
In the Napoli camp, Cyril Ngonge remains sidelined for the past two matches due to a muscle strain, making his involvement in Wednesday’s game unlikely. Conversely, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, having served a one-match suspension, is eligible for selection and is anticipated to replace Pasquale Mazzocchi as the right-back. He will join Amir Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, and Mathias Olivera in the defensive quartet.
Matteo Politano is expected to assume the position on the right side of the attacking line, potentially displacing Giacomo Raspadori. Meanwhile, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is set to retain his place on the left flank. Victor Osimhen, who has found the net in his last two appearances following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, is poised to lead Napoli’s frontline.
Sassuolo possible starting lineup:
Consigli; Toljan, Tressoldi, Ferrari, Doig; Henrique, Boloca; Castillejo, Thorstvedt, Lauriente; Pinamonti
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia